Polymer Brush-Based Asymmetric Porous Patch with Excellent Anti-Bacterial and Anti-Contamination Properties Enables...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Repairing infectious abdominal wall defects requires integrating bioactive components into biological patches without compromising cellular matrix structure.
• Existing methods face challenges in achieving effective integration and maintaining patch integrity in contaminated environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel asymmetric biological composite patch (bPVA/SIS+-NP) for infectious abdominal wall defect repair.
• To evaluate the anti-infection, anti-adhesion, and pro-healing capabilities of the developed patch.

Main Methods:

• In situ introduction of zwitterionic polyvinyl alcohol molecular brush (bPVA) hydrogel to a cationic small intestinal submucosal decellularized matrix (SIS+) using a self-induced phase separation strategy.
• Assessment of the patch's anti-contamination, anti-adhesion, antibacterial, drug release, and burst pressure tolerance properties.
• In vivo evaluation in a rat model of infectious abdominal wall defects.

Main Results:

• The bPVA layer demonstrated stable anti-contamination and anti-adhesion properties due to hydrogen bonding and mechanical interlocking.
• The SIS+-NP layer preserved the extracellular matrix skeleton, providing contact antibacterial ability and sustained drug release.
• The combined bPVA/SIS+-NP patch exhibited high burst pressure tolerance and effectively controlled bacteria and necrotic products.
• The patch achieved anti-infection, anti-adhesion, and pro-healing effects in a rat model.

Conclusions:

• The bPVA/SIS+-NP patch offers a novel approach for creating multifunctional biological patches for infectious abdominal wall defect repair.
• This bio-friendly composite patch addresses the stringent requirements of infectious abdominal wall defect treatment.
• The developed strategy provides a new avenue for constructing advanced biological materials for challenging medical applications.